“Since becoming a parent it’s been clear that nothing in life is what it was like previously and I’m still learning how to not ‘should myself’ into being frozen. Sneaking bits of practice into my day has been much more realistic, practical and effective than trying to sit for an hour at a time. ” -Jessica Abisla
This month on the YTT blog we’re featuring Jessica Abisla who is currently enrolled in our 300 hour program online! Jessica graduated with her 200 hour certification, she’s a super mom, a school nurse by day and we caught up with her this month for Who Are They Today?
What motivated you to first enroll in the 300 hr teacher training with Rise + Vibe School of Yoga?
I somehow had started following Chrissy on instagram and loved her vibe. I knew I wanted to continue my yoga learnings after I finished my 200hr and preferred an online format. I loved my 200 hour, but wanted a more personal approach. Rise + Vibe just fit all the boxes.
Reflect a bit on the format of your training and why it works for you... And maybe also why/if it challenges you?
I love the online format! I am always on the go….usually chasing after my kids and shuttling them to their activities. I really need the flexibility of accessing trainings during odd hours or catching a replay. The amount of time needed to dedicate to a 300 hour training is certainly challenging as a mom. I appreciate that Chrissy is understanding and that I have some control over how I break down the hours and what I focus on.
Tell a little about the community feel of the YTT program...
I love that the Rise +Vibe 300 hour program has monthly (and midway!) meetups! It’s such a great way to get to connect and “meet” everyone else going through training. Sometimes it can be hard to chat about yoga with people I see in my day to day, so having the opportunity to zoom with others who have thoughts about the role of yoga in our lives is awesome! As a philosophy geek, having the opportunity to talk about various yogic texts with the Rise + Vibe Community has been one of my favorite things about YTT so far.
What has changed since you started the 300 hr training?
Since I’ve started my 300 hr training, I’ve found that I need to plan out my time with the material well. If I go into a week without a plan, then I don’t get much done. If I say that I’m going to do x amount of hours or this or that video, then I’m much better off. I also find that I’m much more driven to start teaching on a regular basis. After completing 200hrs, I taught a little bit to friends, family and students at the school I worked at. I didn’t feel super confident though and I had a lot going on personally. Now, I’m feeling like I am able to effectively teach a class and I’m working toward get more teaching time in.
How many children do you have and what ages? Do they practice yoga?
I have two kids. My daughter, Saye, is 10 and my son, Oscar, is 6. They practice yoga on occasion. Lately, they’ve been enjoying meditating on the big rocks when we walk to the beach. Oscar especially loves to join in on my zooms with YTT, and his favorite pose is when I do “car wash” aka Downward Facing Dog and he crawls underneath me pretending to be a car.
What does an average day in your life look like currently?
The average day for me looks like waking up, savoring a cup of coffee and some quiet, then I usually start getting the kids ready for the day, get myself ready and head out the door. I typically listen to an audiobook on the way in to work. My latest listens have included: Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris, Soul Boom- Why We Need A Spiritual Revolution by Rainn Wilson, and Bunny by Mona Awad. Then I do some gratitude journaling and head in to work. I’m a school nurse, and my days can be kind of hectic. During my lunch break, I like to read, practice yoga or meditation or journal. After work, my husband and I get the kids to their activities (Ballet, Swimming and Taekwondo), we have dinner and relax. Sometimes I practice Meditation or Asana before bed, other times I dig into YTT, and other times I jump into bed after watching some tv or reading a physical book. I try to get in several walks a week, a couple asana practices, and a few meditations. It really depends on the day as to how that all plays out.
Are you teaching yoga or meditation?
I am starting to get back into teaching. When I finished my 200 hr training, I was teaching some yoga at the school I worked at and to friends and family. Then, I was finishing my masters degree and dealing with some family stuff so my teaching was put aside for a time. I’m so excited to bring my love of yoga and meditation and the joy it brings me to my community!
Are you practicing yoga or meditation? If yes, tell more!
Yes, not as much as I would like if I’m being honest, but I practice as much as I can. Since becoming a mother, I’ve learned that I need to keep my expectations flexible. My practice has turned more mental than physical, and I find that I can meditate or practice mindfulness more readily than I can asana. I know this will change, and it already is.
What does yoga currently add to your life? Or, what does it take away?!
Yoga is life. It sounds silly to say that, but it’s true. I find that since discovering and then learning more about yoga, I can incorporate yoga into daily life. Yoga gives me balance when I feel life is becoming too much. It helps me hold space for me when I need to rest. It guides me when I’m dealing with difficult people, emotions and situations. And it allows me to quiet my mind when I need reflection.
In the same way, yoga takes away a lot too. I find that I don’t let so many things bother me. I can move on faster from the things which do not serve me or my family and try again. I also feel that it brings me the ability to perspective shift more readily.
Would you recommend this training to others? Why?
I would totally recommend this training to others, and especially parents looking for a flexible way to take a teacher training. This training will give you the content and curriculum you are looking for while giving you space to attend to your children.
If there is anything that feels relevant, inspiring or otherwise neat, please include:
One of the books I’m currently reading is The Yoga of Parenting by Sarah Ezrin.
In the first chapter, she says:
“Parents often think we need to do these hour-long practices or proper meditation sits to do our yoga “practice” and assume they are letting their yoga practice lapse because they haven’t come to the mat recently, but yoga is so much more about how we are living off the mat than what we’re doing when on one. Getting grounded and present in whatever you are doing is yoga.
Parenting is yoga.”
This section really hit home for me because for a long time I was really stuck in what I thought my practice should “look like” or “be like”. Since becoming a parent it’s been clear that nothing in life is what it was like previously and I’m still learning how to not “should myself” into being frozen. Sneaking bits of practice into my day has been much more realistic, practical and effective than trying to sit for an hour at a time.
I would like everyone, not just parents, to know that your practice is yours! However that looks for you. Today it may mean one thing, and tomorrow another. The important thing is that you stay true to yourself and your needs.
Thanks for reading Jessica’s story… Follow Jessica on Instagram: @yoga_withjessabisla